Construction works in the Akamas National Forest Park road network are set to resume after an 18-month halt, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou told the House Environment Committee.
The announcement comes nearly one year after the original Cabinet-set deadline for the project’s completion. The minister revealed plans to terminate the current contractor’s agreement due to breach of terms, with works expected to restart before summer.
“The contract is in the process of termination, and the contracting authority, the Department of Forests, has issued a relevant notice under the contract provisions. The competent authority is already preparing for the next phase, aiming to resume works as soon as the legal procedures for new contracts are completed”, Panayiotou said.
The Department of Forests has completed an evaluation study of all terms in the Supplementary Special Ecological Assessment (SEA) for ongoing works. The department has requested the Environment Department to present the matter to the Ad-hoc SEA Committee on 3 February 2025, with final construction plans due on 17 January 2025.
Experts in nature conservation, road construction, geology, hydraulic works, flora and fauna will be invited to the Ad-hoc SEA Committee meeting. The minister highlighted that revised road designs will be presented, aimed at minimising retaining wall construction, reducing road surface thickness, and reassessing hydraulic works. Additional stability assessment for the Lipatis road will also be implemented.
Panayiotou confirmed that other requirements, including stormwater management, damage restoration, rubber removal, and crossing construction, have been fulfilled.
The ministry aims to complete the works by 2027 through new contract procedures.
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